July 5, 2024 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   We recently celebrated Canada Day. 

   As a nation, we have a lot to be proud of.     However, we also have a lot to be ashamed of in our history (such as the treatment of our indigenous neighbours), and in current affairs.

   Canada, as a nation, is currently on the wrong side of history in regards to the situation in the Middle East, and that means Canada is also complicit in the genocidal acts being carried out by Israel on the Palestinian people of Gaza, Lebanon and other Middle Eastern nations.   Sending humanitarian aid is an empty meaningless gesture when our “partner” in the Middle East not only refuses to let the aid in, but has purposely destroyed any means of getting the aid in.

   The International Court of Justice called Israel's aggressions a plausible genocide and is investigating them as such, the UN Rapporteur investigated Israel's actions and declared them to be genocidal, and, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his Defense Minister for war crimes in Palestine.  Also, the UN added Israel to the blacklist of "Countries Who Harm Children." Israel now shares that title with ISIS, Al Qaeda and Boko Haram.

   I admit I don’t know the whole story of what is happening in the Middle East, but what I do know has completely shocked and appalled me that Canada - who has in past decades built a reputation as peacekeepers around the globe, and supporter of the underdog -  is unconditionally supporting such atrocities against another population. 

   I recently discussed with someone what it means to stand by a friend.  Yes, we should always be loyal and stand by our friends, HOWEVER, when a friend has committed a criminal act, the most loving and loyal thing you can do is to report your friend so that they (and their victims) can get the help they need  to heal their lives.

   Letting Israel, with the full support of the US, continue to break international law without any consequences is NOT an act of loyalty to another nation (Israel nor the US), and I strongly believe we will, as a nation, be paying dearly for our support for many, many years to come.

Beth

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